Three new years of partnership

Thousands of children to discover the joy of singing with a new three-year partnership between the Sage Gateshead and the Kavli Trust.

Photo credits: Sage Gateshead Foundation

The Kavli Trust and Sage Gateshead has announced a new three-year partnership that will support The Big Sing and Big Sing for Mini Singers until 2020. The Big Sing and The Big Sing for Mini Singers brings the joy of singing to more than 3,000 children in schools across the North East and Cumbria region, culminating in a series of inspirational concerts at Sage Gateshead.

The Kavli Trust has worked with Sage Gateshead since 2014, supporting culture.

Inger Elise Iversen, General Manager of the Kavli Trust said: “It is with great pleasure that the Kavli Trust has decided to continue to be partner of the Sage Gateshead. It has been inspiring and encouraging to follow the good work and great achievements of the Big Sing projects from the beginning of the partnership. We look forward to continue our cooperation and trust that it will bring lifetime experiences and personal growth to all children attending the projects”.

This latest partnership comes at an exciting time as, in 2018, Sage Gateshead welcomes the Great Exhibition of the North and the Big Sings will feature as part of its wider programme of celebrations. The Big Sing 2018 will include newly composed songs that explore the region’s art, culture, design and innovation especially in celebration of the Great Exhibition of the North.

The Big Sing for Mini Singers will this year be themed around the seaside with singing and dancing as crabs, sharks and mermaids to some favourite tunes and new songs.

The programme, which has been running for over ten years, has grown into one of the key highlights in the school calendar with over 70 schools taking part and schools can now apply to take part next year. During the spring and summer term, young people aged between 4 – 16 will learn a set of songs before singing them in Sage One or Sage Two with hundreds of pupils from other schools.

Wendy Smith, Director of Creative Learning said: “We’re delighted at Sage Gateshead that the Big Sing 2018 is once again being supported by Kavli Trust. This year we are joining the Great Exhibition of the North to celebrate who we are, what makes us special and what we can become. We’re looking forward to welcoming 3,000 children to the Big Sings!”

The new agreement will also support Sage Gateshead’s CoMusica programme that provides music-making opportunities for children and young people in challenging circumstances, focusing on groups who are not in employment, education or training and those with special educational needs and disabilities.